SARAJEVO HDZ BH WARNS ABOUT INTIMIDATION OF CROATS

SARAJEVO, June 5 (Hina) - The Sarajevo Cantonal Committee of the Croatian Democratic Union Party of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BH) on Thursday warned about new instances of jeopardizing the human and national rights of Croats in the Sarajevo area. A statement issued to Sarajevo media today said that the number of instances of intimidation and violence against Croats in the Sarajevo suburb of Brijesce had increased during May. Neither local authorities and police, nor representatives of international organizations had reacted, the statement added. Between 17 and 18 May, unknown perpetrators desecrated the Catholic cemetery in Brijesce by knocking down 14 crosses, the statement further said, adding that the day after, a group of bullies verbally and physically threatened a Croat woman. According to Bosnian Croat news agency Habena, the Sarajevo HDZ BH today also expressed dissatisfaction with a statement by UNHCR head in Sarajevo Peter Deck, who claimed Sarajevo was an open city. In a letter to Deck, the Sarajevo HDZ BH mentioned everyday administration and other measures which denied the right of more than 10,000 Croats to return. The letter also said that only a small number of matters in dispute concerning tenancy rights had been solved positively, to the benefit of legal tenancy rights claimants. "Forced break-ins into flats, mostly in the property of members of the Croatian people, continue to be legalized, since the cantonal police and the competent cantonal ministries in Sarajevo are not taking any measures to evict those who have illegally moved in and to punish them", the letter by the Sarajevo HDZ BH said. (hina) ha mm 051850 MET jun 97